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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #313969
Title: Detection of decay in fresh-cut lettuce using hyperspectral imaging and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging

Author
item Simko, Ivan
item JIMENEZ-BERNI, JOSE - Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
item FURBANK, ROBERT - Australian National University

Submitted to: Postharvest Biology and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/17/2015
Publication Date: 4/29/2015
Citation: Simko, I., Jimenez-Berni, J.A., Furbank, R.T. 2015. Detection of decay in fresh-cut lettuce using hyperspectral imaging and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 106:44–52.

Interpretive Summary: Fresh-cut lettuce sold in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a desirable, but highly perishable product. Decay of tissue can start a few days after processing and may be difficult to detect by quick visual observation. Thus development of a system for early detection of decay and gradual evaluation of its progress is important both for lettuce processing industry and for breeding companies and institutions assessing quality of new cultivars and breeding lines. We have developed two lettuce decay indices that can be used to detect decay of leaf tissue. One of the indices is based on three wavelengths identified from hyperspectral imaging, while the second index is based on chlorophyll fluorescence imaging. In addition to detection of lettuce decay, the indices were able to identify tissue damaged by freezing temperatures. Both indices showed almost 97% accuracy in classifying tissue as being fresh or decayed directly in plastic MAP bags, without opening them. The non-destructive nature of these evaluation methods thus allows rapid rating of the same samples over period of time and presents the opportunity for development of a commercial high throughput scanner for bagged, fresh-cut lettuce quality.

Technical Abstract: Fresh-cut lettuce sold in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a desirable, but highly perishable product. Decay of tissue can start a few days after processing and may be difficult to detect by quick visual observation. A system for early detection of decay and gradual evaluation of its progress is important both for lettuce processing industry and for breeding companies and institutions assessing quality of new cultivars and breeding lines. We have developed two lettuce decay indices (LEDI) that can be used to detect decay of leaf tissue. One of the indices (LEDI4) is based on three wavelengths identified from hyperspectral imaging, while the second index (LEDICF) is based on chlorophyll fluorescence imaging. In addition to detecting lettuce decay, both indices identified tissue damaged by freezing temperatures. LEDI4 and LEDICF showed almost 97% accuracy in classifying tissue as being fresh or decayed when tested on red, dark green, green, light green, and yellow leaves. Specificity of the indices decreased when tested on fresh tissue with a very limited amount of chlorophyll that visually appeared to be almost white. Both indices detected lettuce decay without opening plastic MAP bags. The non-destructive nature of the indices thus allows rapid and repeated evaluation of samples over time and presents the opportunity for development of a commercial, high throughput scanner for evaluation of bagged, fresh-cut lettuce quality.